RELG 2260 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Buddhism In Thailand, Adolf Von Harnack, Ganachakra
17 Feb 2017
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August 27th reading (pals 3-15, hicks 1-6, 12-15) Adolph von harnack : christianity is first true faith. Herodotus ( 400 bc)- different tribes have different names for the gods but they all serve the same purpose. Enemerus (300 bc)- gods are just dead heroes that people worship. Definition of religion (folk vs. technical vs. substantive vs. functional) Belief in god is too specific, e. g. buddhists don"t worship a god while jews think of their faith more as a set of activities than worship of a god replacing god with the sacred broadens the concept of religion. That which brings a sense of comfort or well-being to an individual or provides support for a group . Functional definitions: what people do rather than say/believe. Hicks (theologian, interpretation of religion) focuses on the feelings associated with religion, thinks there definitely is a god. Religion is made up to cope with human questions but there is something real behind the conviction.
